US seizes Russian-flagged tanker in Atlantic

New Delhi, Jan 7: The United States says it has seized a second oil tanker in the Caribbean after boarding a Russian-flagged vessel in the North Atlantic linked to Venezuelan oil, reports the BBC. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the US Coast Guard carried out “back-to-back” operations against two so-called ghost fleet tankers, the Marinera and the Sophia, within hours. US Southern Command said the Sophia, described as a stateless, sanctioned tanker, was intercepted in international waters in the Caribbean and is being escorted to the US. Russia has protested the boarding of the Marinera, saying no state has the right to use force against vessels properly registered in other countries’ jurisdictions, while US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil remains “in full effect — anywhere in the world,” reports BBC.